When a dog attacks, the results can be catastrophic. Dog bite injuries can range from serious puncture wounds to permanently disfiguring injuries. At The Fine Law Firm, we offer high-quality legal representation to Albuquerque dog bite injury victims in Rio Rancho and throughout New Mexico. Our attorneys can help you hold a pet owner responsible and secure the compensation you need to move forward after a traumatic attack. Contact us to start with a free case review.
Why Do Clients Choose The Fine Law Firm?
- We have a long track record of securing outstanding results for our personal injury clients. Our dog bite injury lawyers excel in and out of the courtroom.
- Your lawyer will truly care about your case. We are available 24 hours a day by phone or appointment after hours and on weekends so that you’ll never be left in the dark about your case.
- There are no fees unless we win. If we don’t secure a settlement or judgment award for your dog bite injury case, you won’t be charged a penny in attorney’s fees.
How Can a Rio Rancho Dog Bite Lawyer Help?
Getting bitten by a dog in Rio Rancho can leave you with painful injuries, expensive medical bills and questions about who you can hold responsible. Unfortunately, an insurance company will not be on your side. The most effective way to prevent an insurer from taking advantage of you and recovering the compensation you need is by hiring an experienced attorney.
A dog bite injury lawyer will know how to navigate New Mexico’s related laws in a way that maximizes your financial outcome as much as possible. Your attorney will also take the time to connect you with the right doctors in Rio Rancho to optimize your physical and emotional recovery. Your lawyer will work for you to help you get through this difficult time.
Common Causes of Rio Rancho Dog Bite Injuries
Pet owners in New Mexico have a responsibility to control their dogs and take reasonable care to prevent them from injuring others (New Mexico Statute § 77-1-10). They must obey all relevant state and municipal laws, including leash laws.
Legal violations are a common cause of dog bite injuries in Rio Rancho, such as allowing a dog to roam at large, dismissing prior signs of pet aggression, failing to keep a dog contained within a fence and harboring a known dangerous dog without taking proper precautions.
New Mexico’s Dog Bite Laws
New Mexico does not have a specific dog bite statute to determine liability, or legal and financial responsibility, for a dog attack. Instead, the courts use two basic grounds for determining liability: the one-bite rule and negligence.
The one-bite rule works by holding a pet owner responsible for a dog bite injury if the dog has bitten someone before or shown other signs of aggression prior to the incident. In this circumstance, the pet owner has a responsibility to prevent future foreseeable attacks.
With a negligence claim, the victim must prove that the pet owner or controller was negligent, or failed to act with proper care, in preventing the bite. For example, if a pet owner was breaking Rio Rancho’s dog leash laws at the time of the attack, this can be used as evidence of negligence to support an injury claim.
Request a Free Dog Bite Injury Case Review in Rio Rancho
If you or a loved one was recently bitten by a dog in Rio Rancho or the surrounding area, contact the attorneys at The Fine Law Firm as soon as possible for a free consultation about your case. We will explore your legal options and help you choose the right way forward to pursue fair compensation for your losses. Contact us online 24/7 or call us at (505) 889-3463 to get in touch.